The Russellville Democrat., 1887-06-22
MYRTLE'S " VALENTINE.'
It Brought Health to a Little Ger
 man Girl.


 all this timeP the day scholars have been gone half an hourr' cried trio of girls clustered about the school room register, one cold, cloudy after noon in February, as a brigst-esed, auburn-hared maiden entered with a book in her hand, and joined the group,
 "The Fraulein must have been in bad humor to keep her pet pupil so long, added one of the party. No, the German lesson was particularly harmonious to-day, but I have been talking to Fraulein yon Hillern about poor Hilda;n said the new conner. ..Do you know, girls, how very i'll she isP" "Whyl 1 thought the fever had quite left herl" exclaimed Bertha Grey. ''So it has, but has left her so weak and low-spirited, nothing can rouse her. Fraulein has to leave her niece alone when she comes to school and Hilda can not read much on account of her head; SC she lies there and worries be- cause she is running behind in her classes, and is such an expense to her aunt. It would break your heart to hear poor Franlein say: Mine little Hilda, she is all 1 have in the world, and the Herr Doctor says she will die. if there come not change soon. A little diverson is what she wants, but where is the little diversion to come fromH And then she covered her face with her handkerchief, and sobbed so, l just had to sit down and cry too.'
 We all know how kind-hearted you are, Myrtle, said Daisy Dean, putting her arm round her friends waist ''Will you believe, girls, I caught her this morning fishing half-drowned fly out of her inkstand, and drying it's wings in the sun?n "Mistaken charity that, little Miss Bergh,n said May Carlisle, "but am really sorry to hear about poor Hilda. What a jolly girl she used to bel the life of our class at one time. 1 wish we could do some- thing for her" T have been thinking of that. said Myrtle. "We could not cure her, of course, but day after to- morrow is the fourteenth, and thought it might cheer her up bit, if we should each send her valentine. What do you think of it?n ''We will, we will" cried the other three in breath.
 q will get 8 gorgeous embossed af- fair, all hearts and darts. and fond low CTS knots" said Bertha, "and tie it up in a box with true-blue ribbon. And ina jal h. lnx sf taa roses" said Daisy, that will brighten up the shabby little room where she lives" 'I am sorry have bought so many caramels and macaroons this term," sighed May, "but think have enough money left to get a small bas- ket of fruit; white grapes and oranges and such things" ''You might be sure May would choose something to cal" suggested Bertha, with merry glance at the little girl, who was very small Id delicate looking; ''her sweet tooth is the largest part of her. But what will you send Myrtlep" "Ahl that is secret, and you must wait and see. It would make you all jealous if should tell you. Tomorrow is half holiday, and must go at once and ask permis- sion of madam to go down town;" and Myrtle danced gaily out of the room, her mercmial spirits having quite recovered from the depression Fraulein's story had cast over them.
 Il don't call that fair grumbled Daisy Dean; we have told her our in- tentions and she needn't make q mys- tery of hers" "AAd it was her own proposition to send these love mis- siyes;n put in May. "I call it decidedly mean, said Bertha. "and l don't be- lieve her gift will be very grand after all. But have q composition to write, and must go at it right away So it was with rather indignant feelings towards their schoolmate that the three girls dispersed to their re- spectiye tasks, for this quartettc of maidens were the only boaIders in Madame Yernons "Select School for Young Ladies and Children, 7 the other scholars coming for the day only; and fortunately they generally agreed remarkably well, and were the warm est and closest of friends.
 The little misunderstanding soon blew over however. for no one could long withstand Myrtle Madrons sweet win ming ways. for quick and impulsive as she was, and apt to be carried away by